Page 17 of Make Me

She looks away, and the wind blows, throwing her hair all over her head. She shivers, and I don’t know if it’s because of the cool breeze or her warring emotions. After what seems like an eternity, she turns to face me again.

“No, Cooper. Maybe it’s good things happened the way they did tonight. Seeing your girlfriend naked in your house was the reality check I needed.”

“Ex-girlfriend,” I say a little too loudly.

“Whatever she is. For the record, I believe you. I believe you ended things, but she either had a change of heart or didn’t get the memo. But that’s irrelevant. I’m not on the market for a relationship, and I need to remember that. I’ve been through hell, Cooper, and only recently started to find myself again. I need to stay present for my daughter and for myself. I remember Candace. She was a mean girl in high school, and I see that she hasn’t changed. The last thing I need is to get involved in some weird love triangle. I’m here for a better life for me and my daughter, and frankly Cooper, Candace scares me. Who’s to say she won’t break into my house next or try to hurt my daughter? Let’s just be neighbors and leave it at that.”

She opens the door, but before she can step inside, I wrap a hand around her wrist. She yanks it away and stands at the threshold, holding the door open.

“I really like you, Laces.” I reach out and stroke a piece of her hair, and she flinches and takes a step back.

She swallows, looks me right in the eyes and says, “I don’t feel the same way.” She bends down and reaches for something behind the door. She holds up her purse and digs through it, pulling out a handful of cash. “Take this to cover for my dinner. And the drinks,” she adds quickly. “I don’t need or want anything from you or anybody.”

Her words are like a punch in the face. I take a step back, but she continues to hold out the wad of cash in front of me. I clench my fists and slam one on the side of the house. Her eyes widen in fear, and she takes another step back, standing behind the threshold now. But she’s still trying to hand me the money.

“You know what? You keep that. If you can’t figure out by now that I’ve—" I stop myself before I say anymore. I shake my head, turn and walk away. By the time I get to my house, she’s already closed her door.

Chapter 11

Laci

Mother:Why aren’t you taking my calls? Call me! Exodus 20:12 – Honor thy mother.

Just like I did with her previous messages, I roll my eyes and delete it. As if she really believes that stuff. I slide my phone into the back pocket of my jeans. They sag downward, and I curse myself for not putting on a belt this morning, but losing weight is new to me.

Between weddings, funerals, and graduation parties, I’ve been too busy over the last few days to think about my failed attempt at dating. Even now, as I load the delivery van, the dull ache in my lower back keeps me from thinking about anything other than work and the satisfaction it gives me.

I have a job I love. I’m with my Aunt Mae all the time, and there is nothing my mother can do to make me go back to Chicago. In fact, there is nothing my mother can do to affect my life. Period. Even her texts and phone calls fail to have any kind of effect on me.

My daughter is happy, healthy, and is thriving at daycare. Why on earth would I need to complicate that with a man? Besides, Ivy ismyresponsibility. I can’t fathom the thought of someone helping me raise her.

I shake the very thought out of my head.Your marriage wasn’t enough of a disaster for you, Laci? What about your crazy former in-laws? Now, you want to get involved with your neighbor with the bitch ex-girlfriend. You want to bring drama back in your life?

I stumble back inside the shop, immediately relieved and happy at the feel of the air conditioning blowing down on me. It’s incredibly hot here for late June, and because this is going to be my weekend off, I’m closing the shop tonight. Since Aunt Mae is in the back, setting up for three weddings tomorrow, I get to man the shop.

The foot traffic is incredibly busy for a Friday. The fridge is full of bouquets that still need to be picked up. I check the computer and print out several orders for the weekend and place them in the folder. I’m hoping things quiet down enough for me to get started on tomorrow morning’s orders before I leave to get Ivy from daycare.

The door to the shop opens, and a familiar looking woman walks in.

“Marlene?” I say, shocked to see the only friend I had when I went to high school here for that one year. Marlene and I tried to stay in touch after I went back to Chicago, but that didn’t last long.

“Laci Williams?” I run from behind the counter and take her into a tight hug. I pull back and look into her eyes. Her eyes are still the same, but Marlene’s face and body are much rounder than when we were in high school. Her dark skin is still smooth, and instead of her signature style of two French braids, her hair is in loose curls that reach her shoulders.

“Laci Hogan,” I say. My voice still trembles whenever I tell someone my name, but I keep it only so that Ivy and I can share the same last name. “I’m a widow,” I quickly explain, doing my best to avoid being asked if I’m married. I’ve learned that when people find out you’re a widow, especially a young widow, they are reluctant to ask for additional details.

“Still Marlene Conrad,” she giggles. Her smile is as wide as it always was, and she still has the large gap between her front teeth. “I’m going to be one pissed off Marlene Conrad if you tell me you moved back here and didn’t call me.”

We talk for several minutes, and I explain I recently moved. We double check to make sure we still have accurate phone numbers for each other, and I tell her she has to come over to meet Ivy.

“Remember my sister, Shana? She graduated medical school, so we’re having a little party tonight.” The door to the shop opens, a man enters, and Marlene introduces me to her brother, Ken. I shake hands with him. He looks just like Marlene, with smooth, dark skin and a wide smile. Just as he’s about to kiss the back of my hand, the door opens again, and Cooper walks in.

He stands there and looks at the scene before him. His eyebrows arch, and he takes a predatory step closer. As soon as Ken’s lips hit the back of my hand, I pull my hand from his, and I leave them standing there while I go find Marlene’s order. It’s a large graduation bouquet filled with yellow roses, white lilies, purple monte casino, and blue delphinium. She also ordered several large balloons and a teddy bear with a stethoscope. Her order was paid for online, so once I hand it to her, I print out her receipt.

“Come by the house sometime. Mom is going to want to see you, and we want to meet your little girl.” She hugs me one more time, and I relax in my old friend’s embrace.

“I’ll see you later,” Ken says. I don’t miss the appreciative gleam in his eyes when he looks at me. Feeling uncomfortable, I clear my throat and step behind the register. I take a breath of relief when they leave, but then I remember that Cooper is still here.

All the air in the room vanishes as I look at his face. He looks away only to look at the door. His eyes narrow and his nostrils flare, but he shakes his head as his scowl disappears.

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